Gasperini updates Roma transfer plans; Dybala deal agreed

AS Roma have submitted a formal offer to Fenerbahce for Dutch winger Oosterwolde, according to Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu. The proposal is structured as a loan with an option to purchase, with the overall package including bonuses potentially reaching close to €20 million. The move reflects Roma's continued search for wide attacking reinforcement this summer after encountering difficulties in pursuing Luis Henrique, Udogie and Cacciamani. Sports director D'Amico has kept Oosterwolde high on his list of targets and has now moved from initial interest to concrete action. The winger's fitness remains a consideration for the Giallorossi, though Roma's internal assessment suggests his recovery is progressing positively and he should be available within three weeks. This development signals a serious push from the club to add depth to their attacking options before the transfer window closes.

Rodrigo Taddei, the former Roma midfielder, has welcomed fellow Portuguese player Rodrigo Mora to the club in a video message posted on Roma's official channels. Taddei, who spent nine seasons at Roma and became one of the most beloved players among supporters, delivered a brief but heartfelt greeting to Mora, the new arrival to Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. "For Rodrigo, my namesake. I am here to wish you good luck, may God bless you and may you be able to achieve all your dreams with our magical Roma. Come on Roma always, a big hug," Taddei said in the video. The welcome message comes as Mora begins his Roma adventure, arriving just days after confirming his transfer to the Giallorossi. Taddei's greeting carries special weight given his deep understanding of what it means to wear the Roma shirt.

Gasperini confirmed Wesley fit to start in Roma's opening match against Fiorentina after the Brazilian trained with the squad and shook off a minor issue from recent days. Wesley is expected to replicate his debut performance against Bologna. The only remaining selection question in attack centres on Gasperini's choice between Mora and Soulé. In the transfer market, Roma are pursuing Chelsea winger Gittens, though the London club are resisting a loan deal and demanding a permanent move. The situation is complicated by the wider transfer movements at Chelsea, particularly involving Mudryk, whose future could directly influence the Blues' stance on Gittens. Luis Henrique remains the leading target on the left flank, with Oosterwolde also back on Roma's radar. Rodrigo Taddei visited Trigoria to welcome his namesake, offering a special greeting to the incoming Portuguese player.

Roma begin their 2026–27 Serie A campaign at the Olimpico on Monday night against Fiorentina, fresh from securing Champions League football via third place last season. Bookmakers have installed the Giallorossi as clear favourites: a Roma win is priced at 1.60 on Snai, a draw at 4.00, and a Fiorentina victory at 5.75. Four of the last five meetings between the clubs have produced at least three goals combined, as have all of Roma's pre-season friendlies, making Over (1.86) slightly favoured over Under (1.91). Gasperini is expected to deploy two forwards with Paulo Dybala in support, though new signing Rodrigo Mora is anticipated to start on the bench. Santiago Castro, Roma's new number 9, leads the goalscorer markets at 2.40, narrowly ahead of Dybala and Donyell Malen, both at 2.50. Among the wider options, Nahuel Molina is quoted at 12.00 and Wesley at 9.00. Bryan Cristante and Gianluca Mancini are priced at 7.50 and 12.00 respectively. The exact scoreline deemed most likely is 1–0 to Roma at 7.00, followed by 2–0 and 1–1 at 7.50 each.

Wesley has returned to full training and will occupy the left flank in Monday's season opener against Fiorentina at the Olimpico, with an ankle problem now resolved. The Brazilian, who missed a friendly against Borussia Dortmund, scored against the Viola at the same venue last season and is ready to feature. Molina will make his debut on the opposite flank. In midfield, Gasperini will deploy the Cristante–Koné pairing, while the main uncertainty centres on the attacking midfield role behind Dybala and Malen, where Mora and Soulé are competing. The defence will be anchored by Svilar in goal, with Mancini, N'Dicka, and Hermoso forming the back three. Pisilli is also available, though Pellegrini will need more time to recover. Roma are primed for their 2026–27 campaign.

Sebino Nela, the legendary Roma defender and 1982–83 Scudetto winner, has assessed Gian Piero Gasperini's squad ahead of the transfer deadline, which falls in less than two weeks. Nela believes Roma has improved but still requires reinforcements in two areas: a wide midfielder and a winger striker. "The Roma has still need of a wide midfielder and of a winger striker," Nela told Il Tempo. "The season is long, there are three competitions and it is important to have a deep squad. In the football of five substitutions, having a bench of level can make the difference." On the summer arrivals, Nela praised Castro and Molina but urged patience with Koulierakis, who is adapting to Italian football. He remains cautious about Rodrigo Mora as an attacking option, questioning whether his profile matches what the team needs despite Gasperini's backing. However, Nela acknowledged that if Mora flourishes under the coach's guidance, "a day, maybe, he will become a new Dybala, especially if he follows the coach's indications." He suggested a strong one-on-one player capable of scoring goals would complete an attack already bolstered by Soulé, Dybala, Mora, and Pellegrini.

Robinio Vaz will remain at Roma through the closing of the transfer window, with the club rejecting any sale of the French striker acquired eight months ago from Olympique Marseille for €25 million. A proposed move to Bologna fell through during negotiations involving Castro and Dovbyk. Vaz has used recent friendlies to impress new head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and demonstrate his value to the squad. With the centre-forward role occupied by Malen and Castro, Vaz is being positioned as a creative attacking midfielder, a role that could leverage his distinctive qualities. Gasperini's tactical system offers intriguing prospects for the French talent, who possesses pace and physical strength unmatched by other options in that position—Dybala, Pellegrini, Mora and Soulé. Last season, his intervention proved decisive in a closely fought match against Lecce after an initial adaptation period in Italian football. Vaz suffered a first-degree medial collateral ligament injury to his right knee while training, an injury sustained in unusual circumstances: he explained to the club he was injured while skiing in summer. After overcoming the setback within just over a week, he has recovered fully and is ready to compete for Gasperini's confidence.

AS Roma close their pre-season programme against Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on 15 August, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini using the fixture as a final dress rehearsal before the league campaign begins. The international-standard test comes just days before Roma's competitive debut and offers Gasperini a last chance to assess squad fitness, run through tactical ideas, and resolve outstanding questions ahead of the official start. Roma line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Mile Svilar in goal, a back three of Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Mario Hermoso, and Neil El Aynaoui, Bryan Cristante, Devyne Rensch, and Matías Soulé across midfield and wing positions. Paulo Dybala and Donyell Malen support Artem Dovbyk in attack. After weeks of preparation at Trigoria and at the summer training base, the clash against the Germans represents a significant opportunity to measure the team's progress and condition. Borussia Dortmund start in a 3-4-1-2 shape under manager Niko Kovac. Following this encounter, Roma's focus shifts entirely to the start of Serie A.

Roma take on Borussia Dortmund in a pre-season friendly at 17:30 today, but the clash is overshadowed by an injury crisis that has left Gian Piero Gasperini with just 23 players available — only 16 outfield players and three goalkeepers. Wesley suffered a right ankle sprain yesterday, joining Niccolò Pisilli (soleus injury) and Lorenzo Pellegrini (returning to group training in mid-September) on the sidelines. The Brazilian's injury mirrors problems sustained during the Welsh training camp. With 15 days remaining in the summer transfer window, Roma's squad position has deteriorated markedly. Eight players have departed — Dovbyk, Ferguson, Angeliño, Tsimikas, Celik, Zaragoza, Venturino and El Shaarawy — while only three signings have arrived: Molina, Castro and Koulierakis. Gasperini highlighted the shortage with a pointed response on competitiveness versus last season: "According to you?", underlining particular weaknesses on the flanks, in attack and midfield, where only three players are currently available. The Dortmund match will provide minutes for Molina while also testing Roma's defensive resilience; the rearguard conceded 11 goals across four pre-season matches against Cannes, Brighton, Cardiff and Newport without a clean sheet.